Checked Against Delivery
Thank you, Madam President,
Let me also thank Assistant Secretary-General Khiari for his briefing.
Madam President,
Denmark condemns the continued attacks by the Houthis in Yemen and against Saudi Arabia. The Houthis are targeting civilian infrastructure and innocent civilians, which is a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law.
These attacks undermine efforts to secure peace in Yemen and risk to further destabilise the wider region.
We call on the Houthis to immediately end all attacks inside and outside Yemen, including attacks against commercial shipping in the Red Sea.
Denmark also condemns Iran’s support to the Houthis.
Madam President,
We are deeply alarmed by the Houthis claiming control of more islands and territory in and along the Bab al Mandeb Strait. This could have significant repercussions for maritime security and global supplies.
As a major maritime nation, Denmark remains fully committed to ensuring the freedom of navigation and the stability of global supply chains in the Red Sea and beyond for the benefit of global trade and development.
It is essential that the international community continues to uphold freedom of navigation – not least in the world’s most critical waterways, in accordance with international law.
Neither the Houthis nor Iran can be allowed to take this freedom away.
The denial of unhindered passage in the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al Mandeb is driving up energy and food prices. This has made food insecurity a very real and imminent threat that is severely impacting in particular the most vulnerable people, especially in conflict situations.
We strongly urge the Houthis to cease their escalatory attacks on commercial vessels and preserve freedom of navigation in accordance with Security Council resolutions.
Madam President,
More than 125,000 people have been displaced in Yemen during the two weeks of increased fighting. They must be able to move safely and have access to food, water, healthcare, and other essential services.
With more than 22 million people – half the population – across Yemen already in dire need of humanitarian aid, the recent escalation deepens the suffering of Yemenis who have already endured more than a decade of conflict.
Any further disruptions and impediments to humanitarian aid could have catastrophic consequences.
Madam President, in closing,
The Houthi attacks not only threaten maritime security in the Red Sea but seriously undermine peace efforts in Yemen. Once again, we call on the Houthis to cease their attacks and provocations, and engage constructively in Special Envoy Grundberg’s efforts to end the conflict which has had a devastating impact on millions of Yemenis.
I thank you.
